Fish canning machine



Feb. 13, 1951 c. G. PREIS 2,541,097

FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 TTONEYS Feb. 13, 1951 c. G. PREIS 2,541,097

FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Ll III( l 7 IN V EN TOR.

di 16M, RUM QWL ATTORNEYS Feb. 13, 1951 c. G. PREIS 2,541,097

FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Eff 6 g /4 ,f

ATTORNEYS atenteci UNITED STATES PATENT orifice 2,541,097 FISH CANNING MAHINEl Carl G. Preis, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor td American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 7, 1945, Serial No. 614,959

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to a fish canning machine of the type having a supply tunnel in which pre-cut pieces of fish are collected preparatory to canning and has particular reference to improved devices for advancing the collected fish through the tunnel toward the canning mechamsm.

An object of the invention is the provision in a fish canning machine of feeding devices for advancing collected fish pieces through a supply tunnel wherein the fish mass is engaged on opposite sides thereof and propelled through the tunnel rapidly and gently, with the least disturbance to the individual fish pieces, in order to produce first grade packing at high speed rates of production.

stood from the following description, which,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodimen thereof.

Referring `to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan View of a portion of a fish canning machine embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 2 2 in Fig. 1 with the fish removed; y

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially along'the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; f

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of a modified form ofthe devices shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken substantially along the respective lines 5 5, 5--6 in Fig. 4 with the fish removed;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 11`in Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of a second modiy fied form of the devices shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views taken substantially along the respective lines 9-9, Ill-II) inv Fig. 8 with the fish removed; Vand Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially 2 along the line II-II in away.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate improved feeding devices' for advancing pre-cut pieces of fish A preparatory to canning, through a supply tunnel I`I of a iish canning machine of the type disclosed in United States Patent 2,044,813, issued June 23,

The sh pieces A are introduced individually into this tunnel in any suitable manner, such as that disclosed in the above mentioned Rooney patent, to produce a uniform fish mass which serves as the supply from which the iish is taken in measured Charges by a measuring and canning mechanisin indicated generally at I'I, for packing into f Calls.

The iish mass in the tunnel II is intermit- Y tently advanced therethrough toward the mease uring mechanism I'I by a pair of spaced and parallel solid blades or paddles I8 which are insert-`-4 able into the tunnel on opposite sides of the nsh mass therein, through an opening I9 formed in' the side wall I5 of the tunnel. The paddles'are wedge shaped in cross section as best shown in f Fig. 3.

The outer surfaces 22 of the paddles IB are l straight and flat and operate against the inner surfaces of the floor I2 and roof i3 of the tunnel. At their outer ends, exteriorly of the tunnel, the paddles I8 are formed integrally with a cross bar 25 (Fig. 2) which is pivotally con-l nected to an actuating link 2E.- lThis link is actuated in any suitable manner in time with theV other moving parts of the machine, preferably as disclosed in the above mentioned Rooney patent, for inserting the paddles i8 into the tunnel and for withdrawing them therefrom, as will be s hereinafter explained.

35.' YThe tumbler is formed with a pair olf trunnions 36 carried in bearings 31 in a pair of support legs 38 which extend out from the tunnel iioor -l2 and from its roof I3. This tumbler is"4 disposed adjacent the tunnel II with its outer Fig. 9, with parts broken through a return stroke by a lever arm 42 which is mounted on one o'fjthe tumbler Atrurmi'ons 35. Actuation of the lever arm is effected in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the machine, preferably Vas disclosed in the above mentioned Rooney patent.

Normally the paddles I8 are inaretractedlpo sition within the Ytumbler 35, the inner .ends .lof

the paddles being disposed just inside the outer periphery of the curved wall section .34 of Vthe tumbler. In operation thepaddles 'I8 simultaneously are projected inwardly into the .tunnel fli'l 'while the tumbler remains stationary in its p0- sition, .as .shown in Eig. V1. inwgmiy moymg paddles travel along the 'inner surfaces of the -`:door l2 and roof `it of the tunnel Aanilliush theirr Way between 'the tunnel Vwane .and the Ifish mass lin the tunnel. Tl'iis'shmassis thus .confined between the'w'edge shaped paddles, there being one .parie die onxeach side'of the sh, i l

"While in this lposition within the .tunnel II the paddles I8 withrthe tumbler A35 fare rocked forward 4through a'feelding stroke-as hereinbefore mentioned. During this Stroke `the TY*paddles advance the `sh mass wedged therebetween, longiand 7) in the tumbler. The slideway retains the slide in place in the tumbler. The slide is actuated for inserting the paddle into the tunnel II through its opening E9 and for withdrawing it therefrom in any suitable manner by way of a link 68 pivotally connected to the lower end of the slide, preferably as disclosed in the Rooney patent above mentioned. y v f *"Ihe paddle 52 is disposed directly opposite the paddle 5I in spaced and parallel relation thereto, `as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and is hingedly connected to the slide 65 for movement toward rthe V'paddle 5l by way of a pivot pin 'II carried Y in lugs 1.2 formed .in ythe' slide.

spring J3 interposed between the paddles maintains 'them in :their separated relation.

tufdinally of the tunnel ttoward the measuring and canning mechanism lI l. `At .theend .of `this stroke'the paddles are withdrawn from the-tunnel finto i'lheir retracted normal l.position 4within th`e 'tumbler and the tumbler `thereupon lmoves backfthrough its return stroke. `r'Ifhis retllrrlfszthe paddles to their original .posi-tionfor 4a subsequent feeding action. This .completes the feeding cycle ofthe paddles. It is inthis manner that the fish pices'arerapidly and gently advanced through the tunnel Withoutiin any wayiinjining'them.

In "thegmodined form or the invention illusitrted'iIlFigS. 4,5,and 7, the wedging-,action against the fish mass in'the tunnel 1U Af5.0advance 1t .iort'iarilinto-the measuring andennning .mechanisin lll is brought about bra :slightly lwedge shaped 'p'addle 5I anda .similar .cooperating @pivotally mounted lpaddle 52. These `nadllLles are mounted in an oscillatory tumbler 53 which is similar to the tumbler ..35 of the' rpreier-red VVformV of the" invention;

"Ifile` tumbler v53 like the tumbler `35 formed,

witha ,pair of trunnions 55 carriedinfbearings 5J through a forward or feedingstrokesand ee througha return stroke V.bya lever arrna Vwch is mounted on one of the tumbler trunnions 55. Aotuationof the lever arrntiseilectediznany suitable manner vin time withsthe otherr-novfing pants ofthe machine, preferabjlyasv dlselosed :the-

aboue-mentionedooney patent.

anoefslotf rFig. 5*) formed Ithecurvedwall section 5I offthe'tumblere. :Withinstheitumhier {thefpaddle-"is formed with :solide-i which A compression `This paddle 52 extends up through a side clearance opening "I4 v'in ythe outer curved wall section 6I of ithe tumbler.V This opening is covered by a slide plate 'I5 through which the paddle extends and which is disposedin a trensrersesiicleway 16 formed in the curved .wallsec'tion .SSI to prevent the escape of vfish 'from the .tunnel- Tbe'ontsr surface kof .the paddle iis `-formed .with a curved tapered cam 13 (Fig. 7) .whihjis engaged period= ically by .a roller T9 :meunted on ,.a stationary pivot pin 8| secured in the adjacent support leg 58 of the tunnel.

"Normally the paddles '51,. 152 arein a .retracted position Within vthe tumbler 53, `Vthe 'inner iai. Y

the paddles being disposedjust ith .Ollter periphery of 'the curved lwall section '6I of tumbler. In operation, .the paddles are .prof iected inwardly simultaneously into ,the Ltunnel Il While .the ,tumbler .Ifema/iris Vstaovnary in its position at 'the l'left'hand end of the tunnel-rompen.- ingle, assnown innig. .4.

The inwardly moving paddles trai/e1 allelism alonso pair -oi shallow notches ori-,roe

cesses I1 formed in theinner surfacesof ,the floor I2 and roof 21,3 of .the .tunnel `and .thus fpush .thl

During the Vfirst.portion .of ...this-stroke, the .cani Y 1:3J rides against V`the rroller .la and :hinges the paddle 52 inwardly against thesidepf Ithe fish ,t masssso-tnatthe paddle-,3.52iisndisposedlatianangle Y 'to -the paddle 5l and rinus foonipressesthe and wedges it against the opposite paddle-Myrthe.

innermost position efytneihinsedraddle .521 beine shown in dot and dash lines in Figsp and.

The earn -lfholds'the hingedpaddle @.52 instnis position during :the remaining maior-:portionaof the forward strokerof the tumbler and thustsarl.- vanees the iwedsednshmass through :the-tunnel toward the measuring i and fon-mung .zneehanism II. of thefiiunnel adjacent .'theffhingedifpaddle `52 taperedV inwardly 'for .the :distance ethe 'paddle travels, so that Vthe tunnel is narrower at ether discharge'zend l than'fatvthe feedfzinflend, to :facili- At @the :end .ofsthis V:forms/ard :or feedngsstroke, i.-.e., l.when thecturnbler fhaszrocked' its full tex.- tent toward the-irigihtzin Fig. fas: indicate'dfby iathe .dot aand rdash :position lof lthe paddle 52 "lin `in perf,

5.2 arelintnis ,position The inner surface of theuroof por ceiling 'r3' as they-wadthat figure, both paddles are withdrawn from the tunnel into their retracted normal positions within the tumbler. At the very beginning of this outer movement'l of the paddles, the cam 18 slips off the roller 19 and this permits the spring 13 to force the paddle 52 outwardly away from the fish mass into engagement with the inner surface of the tunnel roof I3 to relieve the wedgng pressure on the fish and to facilitate removal of the paddles.

The tumbler 53 thereupon rocks back thrQllgh its return stroke to return the paddles to their original position for a subsequent feeding action. This completes the feeding cycle of the paddles. Thus it will be seen that this modified form of the invention provides a wedging action against the fish mass which is similar to the preferred form so that rapid and gentle feeding of `the fish through the tunnel may be effected without injury to the fish.

The second modiiied form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 11 is generally similar to the other two forms but differs therefrom in that the wedging action against the fish mass in the tunnel I to advance it into the measuring and canning mechanism I1 is brought about by a paddle 9| and a cooperating rotatable paddle 92. These paddles are mounted in an oscillatory tumbler 93 which is similar to the tumblers 35, 53 hereinbefore mentioned.

The tumbler 93 like the tumblers 35, 53 is formed with a pair of trunnions 94 carried in bearings 95 in a pair of support legs 96'which extend out from the tunnel floor I2 and from its roof I3. The tumbler is formed with a curved outer wall section 91 which slidably engages against a curved seat 98 formed in the tunnel side wall I5 and surrounding the opening I9 therein. l

The tumbler 93 is oscillated in its seat 98 through a forward or feeding stroke and thence through a return stroke by a lever arm 99 which is mounted on one of the tumbler trunnions 94. Actuation of the lever arm is eiiected in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the machine, preferably as disclosed in the above mentioned Rooney patent.

The paddle 9| is slidably disposed in a clearance slot |0| (Fig. 9) in the curved wall section 91 of the tumbler 93. Within the tumbler the paddle is formed with a slide |92 which operates in a radial slideway |03 in the tumbler. The slideway retains the glide in place in the tumbler. The slide is actuated for inserting the paddle into the tunnel |I through its opening I9 and for withdrawing it therefrom in any suitable manner by way of a link |04 pivotally connected tothe lower end of the slide, preferably as disclosed in the Rooney patent above mentioned.

The rotatable paddle 92 is disposed directly opposite the paddle 9| and normally in spaced and parallel relation thereto as best shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and is secured at its outer end in a radially disposed pivot pin |08, the outer end of which is rotatably seated in a socket |09 formed in the slide |02. A setscrew threadedly engaged in the slide extends into an annular groove I2 in the pivot pin and thus maintains the pin in its socket while permitting free rotation thereof relative to the fixed paddle 9|.

The rotatable paddle 92 extends through a triangular shaped clearance opening H5 (see Figs. 8, 9 and 10) in the outer curved wall section 91 of the tumbler. This opening is covered to prevent the escape of flsh from the tunnel |I by a floating block II6 which is interposed between a fiat inner surface II1 ofthe curved wall section of the tumbler and a support lug I |8 which projects from a side of the tumbler. This support lug surrounds the inner end of the pivot pin |08 and is partially cut away, as shown in Fig. 10, to permit oscillation of the paddle 92. The plate IIB is formed with a clearance slot I2| for the paddle 92 but this slot is just big enough to permit free sliding movement of the paddle therethrough.

The fioating block II6 besides serving as a barrier against the escape of fish from the tunnel |I as mentioned above, is also utilized to oscillate the rotatable paddle 92 through its slotted connection with the plate. For this purpose the block ||6 is provided with an off-center universal joint |22 having connection with an actuating rod |23. The rod extends through aligned openings |24, |25 formed respectively iny the tumbler 93 and in its adjacent support leg 96, and is reciprocated in any suitable manner. in time with the other moving parts of the machine.

Normally the flat sides of the paddles 9|, 92 are in parallelism, as best shown in Fig. l0 in full lines and the paddles are in a retracted posi. tion within the tumbler 93, the inner ends of the paddles being disposed just inside `the outer periphery of the curved wall section 91 of the tumbler. In operation, the paddles are projected inwardly simultaneously into the tunnel I While the tumbler remains stationary in its position at the left hand end of the tunnel opening I9, as. shown in Fig. 8.

The inwardly moving paddles travel in parallelism with their outer flat surfaces moving along the inner surfaces of the floor I2 and roof I3 of the tunnel and thus push their way between the tunnel walls and the fish mass in the tunnel. The' fish mass is thus disposed between the paddles as in the preferred and first modified forms of the invention hereinbefore explained. When the paddles are fully in the tunnel, the actuating rod |23 pushes inwardly against the fioating block ||6 and this rocks the rotatable paddle 92 with its pivot pin |08 from its horizontal position shown in Fig. 10 to the inclined position shown in dot and dash lines in that figure. One edge of the paddle remains adjacent the inner surface of the roof I3 of the tunnel while the opposite edge compresses and wedges the fish mass against the fixed paddle 9|. y

While the rotatable paddle 92 is in this shifted wedging position within the tunnel, the tumbler 93 rocks through its rforward stroke carrying therewith the paddles and the fish mass wedged therebetween. It is this movement of the tumbler that advances the fish mass through the tunnel toward the measuring and canning mechanism |1.

At the end of this feeding stroke of the tumbler 93, both paddles 9|, 92 are withdrawn simultaneously from the tunnel into their retracted normal position within the tumbler, the rotatable paddle 92 being oscillated back into its flat position against the tunnel roof i3 by 'the outward movement of the actuating rod |23 as this paddle moves into the tumbler. When the paddles are in their fully retracted position Within Vthe tumbler, the latter moves back through its return stroke to return the paddles to their original position for a subsequent action. This completes the feeding cycle of the paddles. Thus it will be seen that this second modified form of the invention also provides a wedgngaction against the fish ammo? between the fish in the tunnel and opposite tunnel walls with the flat sides of the paddles disposed parallel with and closely adjacent said side walls, means for oscillating said tumbler through a forward movement to advance the projected paddles through said tunnel and thence through a reverse movement after the paddles have been retracted from said tunnel by said ren ciprocating means to return said tumbler to its original position, cam means for shifting one oi' said paddles toward the other during the forward movement of said tumbler to wedge the fish between them to carry the fish forward through the tunnel, 'and spring means for returning the shifted paddle to its original position to release and clear the iish during withdrawal of the paddle from the tunnel and its return with the tumbler.

10. In a fish canning machine, the combination of a iish supply and storage tunnel having an opening in side wall thereof, an oscillatory tumbler disposed adjacent said tunnel, a pair of spaced ilat paddles slidably mounted on said tumbler, reciprocable means for projecting said paddles through said opening into said tunnel and into between the sh in the tunnel and opposite tunnel walls with the hat sides of the paddles disposed parallel with and closely ad- I jacent said walls, means for rotating one of said paddles to wedge the sh between the paddles, and means for oscillating said tumbler through a forward movement to carry the paddles and the fish wedged therebetween through said tunnel and thence through a return movement after the fish is fully advanced, said paddle rotating means being further operative to return said rotatable paddle to its original position at the end of the forward movement of the tumbler, and said reciprocable means being operative to withdraw the paddles relative to the tumbler so that the paddles will clear the fish on the return movement thereof relative to said tunnel opening.

11. In a sh canning machine, the combination of a fish storage and supply tunnel having an opening therein, an oscillatory tumbler disposed adjacent said tunnel opening for sealing it against escape of iish therethrough, a slide member movably mounted on said tumbler, a fixed paddle carried by said slide member, a pivot pin also carried by said slide member in spaced relation and parallel to said fixed paddle, a rotatable paddle disposed parallel to said fixed paddle, and

o Number secured to said pvot pin for rotation therewith, means for projecting said paddles through said opening into said tunnel on opposite sides of the mass of fish therein and for withdrawing the paddles from the tunnel, means for rotating the rotatable paddle and its pivot lpin relative to said ixed paddle while the paddles are in projected position within said tunnel to wedge the sh between said paddles, and means for rocking said tumbler adjacent said tunnel opening while the paddles are in the tunnel for advancing the wedged fish through said tunnel.

12. In a iish canning machine, the combination of a tapered wedge shaped tunnel for fish storage and supply, said tunnel having an opening in a wall thereof and also having a larger cross-sectional area at its feed-in end than at its discharge and for compressing the iish mass moving therethrough, a pair of oppositely disposed spaced |paddles insertable into said tunnel through said opening and engageable against opposite sides of the fish therein for advancing the fish through the tunnel, means for projecting said paddles into said tunnel, and means for moving said projected paddles longitudinally of the tunnel for the purpose described.

13. In a sh canning machine, the combination of a tunnel for fish storage and supply, said tunnel having a pair of recesses formed in opposing walls thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed spaced lpaddles insertable into the recesses in said tunnel walls for engaging against opposite surfaces of the fish therein for advancing the sh through the tunnel, means for projecting said paddles into said tunnel, and means for moving said projected paddles longitudinally of the tunnel for the purpose described.

CARL G. PREIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Johnson Nov, 29, 1904 Alvey Mar. 20, 1917 Birnstock Nov. 3, 1925 Manning Feb. 23, 1926 Rooney Sept. 24, 1935 Jacobs et al Apr. 21, 1936 Paynter et al. Feb. 13, 1940 Jacob June 17, 1947 

